Part Deux: The Fashion Show…

So where were we?

Ah yes, the faux princess was getting ready for her fancy night out, courtesy of her fairy god mother fashionista (fgf). Her outfit had a decidely "Mad Men-esque" look as she had chosen to wear the perpel dress since she had the shoes, which were absolutely FABULOUS. She curled her hair, did her make-up and was ready to go…

She met her fgf (who happened to be wearing the most wonderful moss green Burberry coat, over a short, beaded paisley 3.1 Phillip Lim) @ the hotel   and together they walked over to the ballroom where the fairytale was to begin…As they got their tickets, she could see the line-up of all the other ladies waiting to look at the amazing prizes . As they walked closer the buzz of excitement got louder. To her left, a Bobbi Brown make-up station.  To her right, the line up of silent auction prizes.  And all around, women in their party frocks, ready to have a good time…

She peeked into the ballroom and right there was the runway in the middle of the room and all around it were tables with big, flowing centerpieces of white feathers , pink roses and mirrored lamp shades.

The princess (for she felt like a real one for the evening) and her fgf looked at the prizes and went in to find their table. They found that they had one of the best tables in the room, right at the end of the runway! They introduced themselves to their table mates and one of the ladies said “Do you know so-and-so?” and the princess said “So-and-so? No, I don’t think so. Did they go to my school?” And she said, “Oh. No. But her friend looks exactly like you and she has the same name.” WEIRD, thought the princess, maybe I DO have an evil twin! (Or good twin, depending on which one she was. haha)

Then dinner began. She knew it was gonna be a good one because instead of having the usual whipped butter for the bread, there was olive oil & balsamic vinegar…The salad consisted of vegetable cannelloni with baby greens dressed with an olive oil and balsamic vinaigrette. The main course was a hot, delicious breaded chicken breast, stuffed with fontina cheese and basil butter which was accompanied by a delicate cream sauce, asparagus spears, zucchini and roasted red pepper. Divine!! The meal ended with a duo of sherbets – strawberry and chocolate in a yummy shortbread cup. It was wonderful…

But now, the main portion of the evening was going to begin…

One by one, the models came out in sumptuous designer fashions: Gucci, Prada, Burberry, Dolce & Gabbana and so many more...jewel toned evening gowns, shining sequin party dresses, beautifully tailored coats, and furs…glorious furs in every color! They carried Python handbags, leather totes, sparkling clutches and beautiful minaudieres.

The princess was in heaven…her favorite outfit of the evening was the perpel ostrich feather skirt, topped with a cute perpel cashmere short sleeved sweater. It was so fabulous she thought she would die!

When finally the last girl walked down the runway and the show was done, they got up to leave but the princess took one last picture of her and her fairy godfashionista…

It was the end of her fashion fairytale, but she would have the vision of that perpel ostrich feather skirt outfit in her head forever…

The End.

PS. BTDubs, Thank you to my fgf, Erin. You're awesome.
PPS. Sorry, the pictures are so blurry - I only had my ipod with me. I didn't want to look TOO excited. :)

A quasi-fairy tale based on a totally true story…Part Une: The Princess and the Phone Call

Once upon a time there was a girl who thought she was a princess.

She wasn’t a real princess of course, but she liked to imagine she was. In real life she was just a normal girl who went to work and hung out with friends and shopped and gossiped like normal girls do.

One day, she was at work, as usual, when she got a call from her “Fairy Godmother” who asked the (so-called) princess whether she wanted to attend a fancy high end fashion show with her! There would be cocktails and dinner and of course the fashion show with all the lovely fashionable things the princess could ever imagine! The princess was beside herself with excitement!! However, she was nervous at the same time. She wasn’t sure if she was “princess-y” enough to go. Would she be able to hack it in the REAL princess world? After thinking about it and asking the advice of her sister and friends, who all said “Uh…YEAH!! OF COURSE you have to go!!” She decided that she would swallow her insecurities and become a real princess for an evening…so she called her Fairy Godmother back and told her “Yes! I would love to go! Thank you for thinking of me, fairy godmother!”

After she got off the phone she had another thought though…what was she going to wear?! Her sister advised her to wear something fashion forward. Something involving fur, leopard and booties…Her fairy godmother told her to wear a dress. Something that you would wear to a party. So she settled on her famous perpel dress! She even knew what shoes she wanted to wear with it: High platform, perpel velvet shoes embellished with a jewel and feathers. The only problem was she didn’t have them yet. She did have a back-up dress in case she wasn’t able to get the shoes, but she needed to wear some tights with them…which she also didn’t have. She was not going to have too much time after work to get ready for the fashion event. The timing was going to be tight and she would need to be as efficient as possible. However…she was able to work some of her own magic and convinced her dad to pick her up after work. They were going to pass by the mall to pick up her shoes...

Everything was starting to come together! But then she looked down at her hands and alas, her nails looked terrible and were in dire need of a manicure! She had been planning to have one, but had not had the time to schedule it. As luck would have it though, she worked close to downtown. She decided that she would use her lunch hour to find some tights, nail polish remover, cotton balls, and some nail polish and would hopefully be back in time to actually have some lunch and do her nails.

She left work, all ready to begin her lunchtime adventure. But she must’ve had some bad timing because there were no buses in sight! She waited and finally she caught the first bus she saw. Unfortunately, it wasn’t going by the store she was planning to go to. But she took it to get to another bus stop that she knew she would be able to catch more buses. She got off and got on another bus, assuming that this bus would take her to her destination. This bus however, was going to turn off at the wrong street. This adventure was beginning to look like a bad idea. Finally she got on the right bus. By this time her lunch was almost half done. She finally got to the store…which had recently been renovated and she didn’t know where everything was! Once she finally found the hosiery department, she circled the aisles but couldn’t find the tights she was hoping for. Finally she decided to give up and went to look for the nail polish remover, cotton balls and nail polish. (Which luckily, she found quickly.) She was trying to decide what kind of polish to buy, but decided she should just get the remover and cotton balls and be on her way. Time was running out and she had to be back at work in 17 minutes! She got in line to pay and…every line for the check-out was so long!!! And as she scanned what people had in their hands (thinking, that none of their purchases were as important as hers) she started to get nervous. The lady who was at the till when she got in line was still there, looking for coupons or change or some such thing! The lady was taking forever and the faux princess was starting to freak out! She wondered at the random stuff people bought in the middle of the day. She looked at her watch… it was 12:48. She had to make a decision. There were still 4 people in line ahead of her and a couple of them had full baskets. She decided to leave the line – put her stuff down and run to catch her bus. Luckily she caught an express. She finally got back to work at 1:03 but was so upset she had missed lunch AND had nothing to show for it!

She called her sister, who agreed to pick up the ultra-fabulous shoes for her (they would totally make her outfit) but her sister warned her they were high and that she might have trouble walking in them. “Let’s hope you don’t trip” she said…Tripping however, was the last thing on her mind, as she thought about how she was going to do her hair and whether or not she was making the right decision about which dress to wear.

The afternoon at work was going quickly and slowly at the same time, as she watched the clock thinking about not making a fool of herself at the fashion show. She was nervous and excited and couldn’t wait for the end of the day…

To be continued….part 2: The Fashion Show

That is so...high school

So tomorrow is my high school reunion. I don’t know if I’m nervous, or excited or both? I mean, I haven’t seen most of these people in AGES. I’m not gonna say how long, but suffice it to say, Vanilla Ice was still rapping and not renovating houses at that time. Anyways, whatever I feel, I must be internalizing some kind of stress because just like in high school, I’ve started to break out. Yeah. Like zits. Ugh. What the heck? Then again, maybe it’s something else…who knows? Whatever it is, it’s annoying. I mean, I know I don’t wanna look all old and haggard when I see my old classmates, but teenage acne is not the way to go. Seriously. I thought I was all past this zitty stage in my life? In fact, I haven’t had a break out like this since high school...Apparently just thinking about high school brings you right back...

For example, this week, with thoughts of the upcoming reunion on the brain, I was inspired to wear some good outfits, because when I was in high school, I loved to wear “outfits” – I’d scour Seventeen or YM magazine, watch music videos and try and emulate the cool outfits of my teenage idols…There was no Selena Gomez in my day (in fact, I’m pretty sure she wasn’t even born yet – OMG, how OLD AM I??!) but there was a Debbie Gibson and she knew how to rock a hat, with a t-shirt and funky vest, a skirt with mid-calf leggings underneath, hi-cut Converse chucks with slouch socks, and of course wayfarers! This was one of my most fave outfits at the time and let me tell you, I felt pretty cool whenever I wore it. I loved wearing ensembles…I'm pretty sure I talked about this before. Yes, I have.

On Tuesday, it was a perfect, sunny, Fall day. A perfect day for me to wear this outfit that had been hanging in my closet for like ever. It consisted of: some dark bootcuts, my brown suede Madewell desert boots, a sheer, flowery blouse, gold hoops and bangles,  and…the pièce de résistance…my brown faux beaver fur vest! Trust – this outfit was totes inspired by Kourtney Kardashian in a recent issue of INstyle magazine…(or was it People Stylewatch?) It was a good look…although some people asked me if I was a Viking. (Whatevs. I say “Victory!!!” like Drama on Entourage when he was on “Viking Quest”) 

Yesterday I wore the vest again (What? Twice in one week? Yes.) But this time I wore it as “outerwear”. I threw it over a camel cardigan and gunmetal grey legging pants and tank then topped it off with my leopard print scarf. Seriously, I love this vest! It’s so luxe. 

Anyways, here I was looking all luxe…waiting for the bus. (Haha, yes, I know it’s total oxymoron, but hey, I’m “environmentally friendly”…not. I just don’t have a choice – Aldin takes the car to work, I work in downtown and don’t really like to drive anyways…I’d rather be driven around...and...hmmm. That was a bit of explains.) but I digress…

Anyways…here I was waiting for the bus in my luxe faux fur vest and this little girl, maybe 8 years old, walking with her mom, passes by me and says in an excited voice “I love your outfit!” (and then whispers to her mom “I love her outfit!”)  It was so cute. I felt so “Pan Am (stewardess)”. AH…validated by an 8-year-old. 

Today, my look is all “Rock concert!”…or at least “Rock Concert Organizer!” (LOL) 

I’m wearing my dark slims with one fold, David Dixon platform heels, Rolling Stone t, and black blazer with folded sleeves. However, the thing that makes me look all rock-concert organizer-y?? My work pass. It’s on one of those lanyards and I look all “VIP Access only” which kind of makes me crack up. Haha!! I just need a headset and a clip board.

Anyways, I still can’t believe its been so long since I graduated from high school - but this week has almost brought me right back, what with the zit break out and outfit wearing...I wonder if anyone else had any high school flashbacks? I guess I will find out tomorrow...wish me luck friends!     

If it smells bad...don't eat it.

I guess I’m having a bad week – First my water gets stolen at the gym then…

Well…let me tell you all about it.

It all started out good. We were going to Bistro 7 ¼ to celebrate Aldin’s b’day. We got there on time and our table, the Star Table, was ready to go. (Note: I like to call any table that’s in the middle of the restaurant, the “Star Table” y’know – the place to sit, to see and be seen, etc…because I’m so famous. Yeah.) Anyways, the restaurant was bustling as usual and on our way there I had already decided that I would have my usual moules et frites (beer, bacon and cheddar). But, when I got there, I recalled a conversation that I had with one of the guys @ work earlier in the day. Dennis (his name has not been changed to protect his privacy), recommended the “stinky mac and cheese” and he even made the “closing the eyes while describing how good it is” face. So as I looked at the menu, I thought to myself “Why not try something different?” I had always wanted to try it. Mac n cheese? Yes please! I just wished there was some meat. (I can’t just eat “sides” as a meal). And as I scanned the menu, I saw that I could add lobster to it! Done. I imagined some creamy cheesy goodness, topped with bread crumbs…and red lobster claw meat, glistening in big chunks all over the bubbling dish…like on TV! Mmmm...

Aldin ordered his usual hammerchop and his fave appetizer (what he and Chef Chris Cosentino, lovingly refer to as “God’s butter”). Anyways, we got our drinks (beer for him and Pellegrino for me) and pre-dinner bread (warm with butter, tomato compote and sea salt) and discussed whether we would order dessert or not. He got his appetizer (and he also did the “it’s so good I have to close my eyes” face while eating it). I tasted it, but I don’t really see what all the hype is about. I noticed there seemed to be a lot of mussels and fries going out, and for a split second I wished I had ordered my usual. But, I quickly talked myself out of it saying “Dude, you’re getting LOBSTER”. Anyways…after waiting what seemed like ages (and seeing bowl after bowl of mussels and fries going out) our food finally came. Aldin’s was the usual (if not a bit smaller) hammerchop, with cauliflower gratin and sweet potato fries.

And mine…was a tiny bowl of stinky mac n cheese with a lobster tail sticking out of it.

First, let me say…I LOVE cheese. I’m all about cheese. I may be slightly lactose intolerant, but I love the stuff. I love any kind…except maybe blue cheese.

Apparently “stinky” mac n cheese is made with blue cheese. Which I did not know. And for some reason, did not think to ask. But I thought to myself “well…it looks creamy. Creamy usually = good”. Or so I thought. I had a bite…it wasn’t terrible. The distinct taste of blue cheese was there, but it wasn’t completely overwhelming. I figured I could handle it. Plus I had the lobster tail! So I pulled the lobster tail out, since it was just sticking up out of the bowl and…there was no meat in it!! I thought to myself “I’ve been robbed AGAIN! There must be some mistake!” I was all ready to call the server when I looked closer at my bowl and noticed a few white chunks…could this be my lobster?! No one said anything about mixing it in with the mac n cheese!! This was definitely NOT what I had in mind when I ordered this dish. I was so disappointed. But I ate as much of it as I could (since I was paying a whopping $27.00 (12 for the mac, 15 for the non-existent lobster) but after awhile I couldn’t go on. The “cream” was more soupy than creamy and the taste of blue cheese, not so strong at first, was suddenly all I could taste AND smell. Stinky, indeed. I had already eaten the few little chunks of lobster (definitely not 15.00 worth, btdubs) and finally just gave up. I tasted some of Aldin's hammerchop, but I didn’t really care for it that much. So he gave me his cauliflower gratin. (Hmm…I guess I did end up eating just “sides”…BOO.) I didn’t even want dessert anymore after that. So I left the restaurant wholly unsatisfied…I guess I should have already known from the name of the dish that it wasn’t going to bode well. I only like good smelling food! What was I thinking?

In the end, though I regret my choice of dinner and will probably never order it again, I’m glad its something that I can stop wondering about. I will still go to Bistro 7 ¼ …but just for the mussels and fries.

Also, I’ve decided to never listen to someone else’s opinion about food again…even if they make the “closing the eyes cuz it’s SO good” face.

CSI: Goodlife

Tonight I was the victim of a crime. 

And it happened literally behind my back in front of my face! 

Here I was all excited about my zumba class this evening (Wednesday classes are the best!) and my good friend and gym partner, Suze and I were all pumped and ready to begin. It started out as usual...But unbeknownst to me, things were going to take a strange and unexpected turn. 

Now, you've heard me complain before, how I can't stand when people get all up in my grill and don't know the meaning of personal space. (This is MY space. That's YOUR space.) I also can't stand when someone rips a "SBD" (silent, but deadly) in the middle of class and then tries to pretend it wasn't them. (Yo, I know it was one of you fools, cuz it wasn't me!) That's a crime in and of itself. But no, this was not what happened to me tonight. I was a victim of pure and utter THIEVERY!!!! 

We had just finished a new cardio routine and I walked over to grab a drink of water from my water bottle and....it wasn't there! It was like it vanished into thin air...except that it didn't. I turned back to Suze, with a puzzled look on my face - confused as to who would have stolen another person's water?! My friend looked at me then quickly looked at the other women around us...it had to be one of them...but who? Unfortunately, I didn't have time to figure it out because the teacher quickly began another cardio set...But I was completely thrown off. My usual coordination was gone as I pondered why anyone would want to steal someone else's water? I mean, I get it, it's a crazy workout and you do get thirsty (Trust me, I know - at this point, I was completely dying of thirst) but why the hell would you take someone else's water?! It just didn't make any sense! If you come into class without a water bottle, and then begin drinking someone else's water...how does one do that? Or, if you come into class with your water bottle, how do you mistake it for someone else's? Anyways, I pondered this while we continued on...

Suze, who had previously been a victim of this crime a few months ago, suspiciously eyed the rest of the class and understood all too well this feeling of violation.  At the end of class, as she collected her water bottle, we noticed my water bottle had been returned, sitting innocently as if it had never happened!! So strange. But I (already annoyed, feeling violated, uncoordinated and completely parched) wondered aloud "Is THAT my water?!" I didn't drink it because WHO knows what kind of cooties the water bottle thief had backwashed into there?! Ugh. I was so irritated. I mean, if it was an honest mistake I could understand...the culprit should have said "I'm sorry, I accidently took your water - I thought it was mine. I'm an idiot" But there was no mea culpa. Just the water bottle back in it's place at the end of class mocking me saying "Maybe you're crazy". But I'm not crazy (well, not about this at least). I know someone stole it and they tried to pretend they didn't. I hate that shit. Anyways, I've decided to write my name on my water bottle with a permanent marker. 

I hope the H20 Thief doesn't have the same name as me.